Phil1051 Plato’s Apology and Aristotle’s Politics
Paper #1 Prompt
Instructions:
Write a paper on the following prompt.
Your paper should be at least 3 pages in length, have a title page, use 1'' margins, be double spaced, use Times New Roman 12 point font, and have no extra spaces between paragraphs Also, the paper should be submitted in docx or pdf format.
Both Plato’s Apology and Aristotle’s Politics present a vision of a healthy society. Write a paper discussing the extent to which Socrates (as presented by Plato) and Aristotle agree and disagree concerning what constitutes a healthy society and what such a society must require of its citizens.
The only texts that may be cited/used are the Apology, the Euthyphro, Aristotle Metaphysics excerpt, Aristotle Politics excerpt 1, Aristotle Politics excerpt 2.
This paper should include the following:
1. An introductory paragraph where you make assertions along the following lines:
- “I will show that Socrates and Aristotle agree concerning…..and disagree concerning…..”
- “ I will argue that Socrates/Aristotle’s description of a healthy society is superior to that of Aristotle/Socrates because….”
2. A paragraph that describes Socrates’s conception of a healthy city as expressed by Plato in the Apology. It should have three quotations from the text at minimum. Be sure to discuss the justification behind this conception.
3. A paragraph that describes Aristotle’s conception of a healthy society in the Politics. It should have three quotations from the text at minimum. Be sure to discuss how Aristotle justifies his conception.
4. A discussion of the similarities and differences between the two visions.
5. An argument for why one presentation is better than the other.
Your paper will be evaluated according to the following criteria:
1. Writing and presentation. (E.g. does the paper follow the correct format?)
NB: A paper that is shorter than the requisite length will not receive a grade higher than 80%. A paper that does not fully address every part of the prompt will not receive a grade higher than 75%. Each instance of failing to follow proper formatting which includes but is no limited to not having a title page, using incorrect font/spacing/margins/file format will involve a 5% reduction in the overall paper grade.
2. Accurate portrayal of arguments and motivations. (E.g. Does it state what Socrates believes? How he argues for it? Why he believes it?)
3. Use of text to support your portrayal of motivations and arguments. (E.g. Your paper should quote the text.)
NB: A paper without any quotes from the text will not receive a grade higher than 80%.
4. Critical examination of arguments/issues/motivations. (E.g. is your paper more than a mere summary of the text?)